Probe expands into JPMorgan hiring practices in China

JPMorgan has disclosed a wider probe into its Hong Kong hiring practices.

JPMorgan has disclosed a widening probe into its hiring practices in China.

Three months ago, it said in a quarterly filing that the Securities and Exchange Commission's division of enforcement was seeking information and documents relating to its hiring practices in Hong Kong.

On Friday it disclosed in a filing that the Justice Department and other authorities are also looking into the matter. The bank also provided more details about the hiring practices being examined.

The filing said the probe is looking into "hiring practices relating to candidates referred by clients, potential clients and government officials." It's also investigating consultants hired by the bank.

In August, the New York Times reported that a confidential U.S. government document detailed that the matter involved the son of a former top Chinese banking regulator and the daughter of a Chinese railway official. But the Times reported that the document doesn't accuse the bank of any wrongdoing and does not suggest that the employees weren't qualified to hold the positions.

JPMorgan has been the subject of numerous investigations by U.S. and overseas regulators so far this year, and has paid out billions of dollars in fines.